European Commission proposes reform of EC telecoms rules | Practical Law
The European Commission has published its legislative proposals for reform of the EC telecoms rules. The Commission hopes that the proposed changes will improve competition, complete the single market in electronic communications and improve consumer protection. The changes include a reduction in the number of telecoms markets susceptible to ex ante regulation from 18 to seven; increased powers for national regulators; the introduction of a new independent regulatory body, the European Electronic Communications Market Authority; improved security measures and consumer rights; and a remedy of "functional separation". The changes are material and, in some respects, more radical than was contemplated in the consultation that preceded them, and it is likely they will lead to heated debate during the course of the legislative process.